AGGRESSIVE drivers are putting millions of lives at risk by dangerous overtaking, a road safety body has warned.

The worst offenders are men, particularly young male drivers, a poll of 1,000 motorists revealed

One in seven drivers - or nearly five million motorists - have had to take evasive action because of risky overtaking.

The worst offenders are men, particularly young male drivers, a poll of 1,000 motorists revealed.

The road safety charity Brake and Direct line insurance survey said that 80 per cent of drivers have felt threatened by an overtaking manoeuvre and nearly all (94 per cent) have witnessed dangerous overtaking.

The group most likely to admit to taking this risk is the most dangerous on the roads - young male drivers aged 17-24.

In the poll 39 per cent said they had tried to get past a vehicle in front without being sure the road ahead was clear. That is more than twice the average for all drivers.

Brake said the problem is particularly severe on rural roads which per mile travelled are statistically the most dangerous for drivers, accounting for 52 per cent of the UK’s fatal crashes.

The charity urged motorists only to overtake when absolutely necessary.

It said overtaking a car doing 50mph and then continuing for 10 miles at 55mph would only shave one minute off the journey, assuming there were no delays, bends, traffic lights or junctions on the route.

We’re urging all drivers to avoid overtaking on country roads unless absolutely essential and 100 per cent safe

Julie Townsend

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: “We’re urging all drivers to avoid overtaking on country roads unless absolutely essential and 100 per cent safe – that doesn’t include if you’re feeling impatient because someone in front is driving a few mph slower than you want to.

“In those situations, cool-headed and responsible drivers hang back and relax. We’re also urging drivers to stay well within speed limits, and slow right down for villages, bends, brows and bad weather, to protect themselves and others.”

Brake said car occupants and motorcyclists are twice as likely to be killed on a rural as an urban road while the risk for cyclists is three times as high.

Rob Miles, director of motor at Direct Line, commented: “People die on rural roads in the UK every day and many of these fatal crashes could be prevented.

"Our own data suggests that young drivers and their passengers are even more likely to be killed on this type of road. Drivers should remember that patience is a virtue when it comes to deciding to overtake another vehicle, as it could be a life saver.”